The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Science. The lowest is 69% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Grenada Elementary School
Grenada Elementary School sits on Pender Drive in the city of Grenada, the county seat of Grenada County, Mississippi. It is a large elementary operation, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade across what the district describes as two campuses: a Red Top building for the youngest children and a Green Top building for the older elementary grades. The district recently reorganized these campuses, moving third grade to the Green Top site to relieve overcrowding driven by rising kindergarten enrollment at the Red Top building. That reconfiguration took effect for the current school year and shapes how families experience the school day, since children may shift buildings as they advance.
The academic results from the most recent Mississippi Academic Assessment Program are a clear strength. In mathematics, third and fourth graders posted proficiency rates that stand out, with fourth grade especially strong. Fifth grade math was lower than the other two tested grades but still represented a solid share of students meeting proficiency. English language arts results were consistent across all three tested grades, with a steady majority of students reaching proficiency each year. Fifth grade science was the highest result in the building, with a large majority of students proficient. These are not marginal numbers; they reflect a school where most tested students are meeting state standards across subjects and grade levels. Because the school serves pre-kindergarten through second grade as well, those youngest children do not participate in state testing, which is the normal pattern for Mississippi elementary schools.
The enrollment is substantial for an elementary school, with a student body large enough that the district has had to actively manage capacity between its two campuses. A clear majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial composition is nearly evenly split between Black and White students, with a small share of children identified as two or more races. The school also enrolls a group of ungraded students, which can reflect special programming or placement circumstances. Information on individualized education programs and English learner services was not available in the data provided, so a parent whose child receives those services may want to ask the school directly about what is in place.
Grenada itself is a small city with a manufacturing and industrial base. Publicly reported sources describe the local economy as centered on products like heating and refrigeration equipment, automotive parts, hosiery, newsprint, and wood products, with timber and agriculture also playing a role. A major employer, Milwaukee Tool, expanded its local operations in 2022, adding jobs and establishing a new facility. The city has a traditional downtown organized around a town square that serves as a civic gathering point, though the community spreads across roughly thirty square miles with low density, meaning daily life for most families is car-dependent. Grenada Lake and Hugh White State Park sit just east of the city, and the Yalobusha River runs through town, giving residents access to outdoor recreation. Holmes Community College and the University of Mississippi Medical Center Grenada operate on a shared campus area, adding institutional employment.
The housing market here is affordable relative to both state and national benchmarks. Typical home values in the school's zip code sit well below the Mississippi state average and far below the national figure, which makes homeownership more accessible for families than in many parts of the state. Rental data was not available in the provided information.
The Grenada School District has been investing in facilities. Beyond the elementary reconfiguration, the district began renovating Grenada Middle School in early 2025, with completion planned for the following school year. That work will not directly affect elementary families but signals a district paying attention to its physical plant across grade levels. Data on staffing ratios, discipline practices, attendance patterns, course access, and Title I status was not available for this school. A parent weighing those dimensions may want to look into them further with the district directly. What the available data does show is an elementary school with strong academic outcomes across tested grades, a large and socioeconomically diverse student body, and a community in the midst of industrial growth that is keeping housing within reach.
See more original research from School Decision →